SAN DIEGO/LOS ANGELES, CA (October 4, 2024): The 23rd Annual San Diego International Film Festival is ‘Celebrating the Power of Film’ with curated screenings that inform, inspire and entertain. Count on the Festival to get the conversation started with compelling Social Impact Films and Q&As including: Environmental Sustainability, Social Inequities, Individuals with Disabilities and Inclusion, American Indian Native Experience, LGBTQIA+ Rights, and other topics affecting our world and our communities.
This year, the festival will honor Penelope Ann Miller, Alessandro Nivola, Marianne Jean-Baptiste and Lhakpa Sherpa at the Night Of The Stars Tribute on Thursday, October 17th, at The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center in La Jolla. www.sdfilmfest.com
According to Tonya Mantooth, CEO/Artistic Director of the San Diego International Film Festival, “Between the amazing film lineup and the addition of our award honorees, our festival attendees are in for an incredible experience. Penelope Ann Miller, Alessandro Nivola, Marianne Jean-Baptiste, and Lhakpa Sherpa all have films currently in theatrical release, or are about to be released, and have been showcased in major festivals that lead into the awards circuit. The San Diego International Film Festival is committed to celebrating cinematic excellence and honoring extraordinary talent with strong bodies of work, making this an unforgettable opportunity for all involved!”
Penelope Ann Miller is a distinguished and award-winning artist in film, television, and theater. She has worked with some of the most notable actors and directors in Hollywood. This list includes Al Pacino and Sean Penn in director Brian de Palma’s CARLITO’S WAY, for which she received a Golden Globe nomination; Marlon Brando and Matthew Broderick in THE FRESHMAN; Robert De Niro and Robin Williams in Penny Marshall’s AWAKENINGS; Robert Downey Jr. in Sir Richard Attenborough’s CHAPLIN; Danny DeVito and Gregory Peck in Norman Jewison’s OTHER PEOPLE’S MONEY; Matthew Broderick and Christopher Walken in Mike Nichols BILOXI BLUES; and Arnold Schwarzenegger in Ivan Reitman’s KINDERGARTEN COP and she also co-starred in the 5 time Academy award-winning film, THE ARTIST, opposite Best Actor winner, Jean du Jardin.
Penelope is currently starring as “Nancy Reagan” in the feature film and Box Office hit: REAGAN opposite Dennis Quaid as “Ronald Reagan”. The film has received an ‘A’ Cinema Score and a 98% audience approval rating.
Actor and producer Alessandro Nivola stars in Brady Corbet’s THE BRUTALIST alongside Adrien Brody which won the Silver Lion for Best Director at the Venice Film Festival. Also at the festival, he features in Pedro Almodóvar’s THE ROOM NEXT DOOR opposite Julianne Moore and Tilda Swinton which won the Golden Lion. He plays iconic Marvel villain “The Rhino” opposite Aaron Taylor-Johnson in J.C. Chandor’s upcoming feature KRAVEN THE HUNTER. All three films are set for theatrical release later this year and he just wrapped production on the DOWNTON ABBEY 3 feature opposite Paul Giamatti. Previously, he starred in THE MANY SAINTS OF NEWARK, David O. Russell’s AMERICAN HUSTLE (SAG Ensemble Award) and DISOBEDIENCE (British Independent Film Award for Best Supporting Actor).
Marianne Jean-Baptiste, an Academy Award, Golden Globe, and BAFTA nominee, reunited with Mike Leigh for HARD TRUTHS, a tragicomic exploration of contemporary life. Known for her acclaimed performance in SECRET & LIES, Jean-Baptiste continues her dynamic career with her recent role in RUMBLE THROUGH THE DARK alongside Aaron Eckhart. For seven years, Marianne was seen on WITHOUT A TRACE (CBS) opposite Anthony LaPaglia. She starred in the first season of Amazon’s HOMECOMING, opposite Julia Roberts. She also stars in Apple TV+’s SURFACE and romantic comedy BOXING DAY. In addition to her acting, Jean-Baptiste is a writer and composer, having written the score for Leigh’s CAREER GIRLS.
This year’s Humanitarian Award recipient, Lhakpa Sherpa, is a pioneering mountaineer, holding the record for the most summits of Mt. Everest by a woman, with 10 successful climbs. Her journey began in 2000, when she became the first Nepali woman to summit Everest and survive. In 2024, Netflix released MOUNTAIN QUEEN: THE SUMMITS OF LHAKPA SHERPA, a documentary chronicling her historic achievements and personal struggles. Lhakpa’s story of resilience, overcoming gender barriers, surviving intimate partner violence, and navigating life as a single mother inspires others to pursue their dreams and rise above their circumstances.
Previous honorees at the festival have included Laurence Fishburne, Sir Patrick Stewart, Annette Bening, Andy Garcia, Kenny Loggins, Kate Beckinsale, Geena Davis, Judd Apatow, Adrian Brody, Regina Hall, Kumail Nanjiani and Heather Graham amongst many others.
Warmly,
Susan
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